Study Says Now Is Not The Time For New England Beef

Deadly cattle ticks attacking cattle and humans brought about the creation of Cooper's Cattle Dip which contained large amounts of arsenic. Cows standing around, dripping with the dip, led to the contamination of soil which in turn led to contaminated ground water, killing many on Cow Island. (credit: AP)

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – A new study says establishing local beef markets in New England will be difficult because demand is low and the cost to produce local beef is high.

The report commissioned by New England’s six state agriculture departments released Friday says distributors and food service companies won’t spend money to support locally processed beef markets until producers develop the markets and demand rises among schools and other institutions.

Agriculture officials want to determine how the region’s food production could be more self-sustaining. Some farmers have said they would prefer to send cattle to nearby slaughterhouses to sell locally produced beef and save on transportation costs.

One suggestion by the study is that a Department of Defense purchasing and distribution network that supplies fruit and vegetables to hospitals, schools, prisons and military installations could include locally grown ground beef.